ATHERTON, Calif. — In the first game, Fresno Pacific baseball (20-19, 15-12 PacWest) fell to Menlo College (14-21, 12-20 PacWest) with a final score of 3-1 at Cartan Field on Thursday. The Sunbirds rallied in game two, pushing ahead 6-3 to split the day.

GAME 1 | FPU 1, MC 3

Menlo took an early lead in the second inning when an Oak scored on an unearned run due to a throwing error by the Sunbirds' shortstop, giving Menlo a 1-0 advantage. At the bottom of the fourth, the Sunbirds turned in an impressive double play to stop the bases loaded situation before it could get out of hand, keeping the score FPU 0 – MC 1.
However, in the fifth inning, Menlo's unleashed a solo homer to left field, jumping ahead 2-0.

The Sunbirds responded in the sixth inning! Eric Wilson doubled to right center and scored on Gabe Henderson's RBI single to cut the deficit to 2-1. Unfortunately, the 'Birds were unable to score for the remainder of the game as Menlo added an insurance run in the eighth inning.

Matt Bettencourt pitched a solid 6 innings for the Sunbirds, allowing only one earned run and striking out one batter. Despite allowing nine hits, Bettencourt managed to minimize the damage, giving up just two runs overall with one home run surrendered. Freshman Drew Petty came in for relief, pitching 2 innings with three strikeouts while allowing two hits and one run.

GAME 2 | FPU 6, MC 3

The Sunbirds rallied in game two with two home runs and nine hits, while their pitching staff struck out 12 Menlo batters!

Fresno Pacific opened the scoring in the first inning when Wilson walked, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored on Titus Wheelock's sacrifice fly to right field. This early action gave the Sunbirds a 1-0 lead after the first inning. In the third inning, Darryl Dilworth Jr. was hit by a pitch and later scored on a wild pitch, extending the lead to 2-0.

The action picked up in the fifth inning. Second baseman Tejean Smith led off with a home run down the left-field line. Brennan Johnson followed with a double, and Wilson hit a two-run homer down the right-field line, extending the lead to 5-0. The Oaks responded with a three-run homer to make it 5-3 by the end of the inning.

Fresno Pacific added an unearned run in the sixth when Alex Lopez walked and scored on a fielding error by the center fielder, making it 6-3. The game concluded with a scoreless seventh inning, securing the Sunbirds' 6-3 victory over Menlo.

On the mound, Cruz Cabral delivered a strong performance, pitching 5 1/3 innings with 12 strikeouts, allowing six hits and three earned runs. He threw 93 pitches, 63 of which were strikes, and recorded two walks and one hit batter while conceding one home run. Dylan Senneway provided solid relief, pitching 1 2/3 innings with one walk and a wild pitch, securing his second save with 34 pitches, 20 of them strikes.

NEXT UP: The doubleheader scheduled for Saturday has been moved to Friday, April 10. The games will still be held at Dan Martin Stadium, but will start at 1 pm and 4 pm.

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